Strange Windows XP problem

[titanmiller]

Has anybody tried enabling Active Desktop items in XP Home with the Classic theme?

I'm not sure if that is the problem, but after doing that I started to experence a strange problem where Ctrl + Alt + Del would result in nothing, after repeated Ctrl + Alt + Del attempts the little task manager icon would show in the system tray. I tried to restart and got a "end program now" box, I clicked end now, then another came up, and another, and so on (probably number of times I pressed Ctrl + Alt + Del) I restarted and it was okay for 12 hours or so and then it did the same thing.

I disabled Active Desktop but have not had enough time to evaluate if it fixes it or not.


BTW, normaly I have excelent up time, I was at 11 days when it happened the first time.

 

[titanmiller]

Ok, I disabled Active Desktop, but the problem continues. I cannot open the Task Manager after the computer has been on for a while, but I can run it after it has been freshly started, I have no idea how long it is until it will not work.
When I press Ctrl + Alt + Del it gives me a small Hour glass on the cursor for several seconds and then turns to normal. Also I cannot use Open/Save dialague boxes, they freeze and I have to right click on the taskbar and press close to get rid of them via the end task now screen that comes up.

I have no idea why this would happen, I dont remember changing anything.

Please help

 

[titanmiller]

I also noticed that I cannot minimize the task manager to the system tray!?

I guess I could try system restore and go back a couple of days.